Blossoming Tung Trees and Glowing Fireflies – The Baxianshan Tung-Firefly Season Shines Day and Night

▲ In April and May, Baxianshan offers tung blossoms by day and glowing fireflies by night, beautiful both day and night. (Image source /Dongshi Forest District Office)

TravelCenter /Comprehensive Report

Baxianshan becomes especially vibrant every April and May, not only because of the fluttering tung blossoms but also due to the sparkling fireflies at night.

Within just 200 square meters, about 50 tung oil trees are densely planted in Baxianshan. When the tung flowers bloom, a gentle breeze sends petals drifting down, allowing visitors to deeply feel the charm of spring. Environmental education teacher Li Wenliang said that based on the current state of the flower buds, the peak blooming period is expected to start around April 25 and last for about a month.

Meanwhile, fireflies also begin their active mating and breeding season during this time. To celebrate this, the Baxianshan Nature Education Center hosts four sessions of the “Tung-Firefly Season.” Dongshi Forest District Office Director Li Yanshou pointed out that Baxianshan Forest Recreation Area is one of the top firefly-watching spots in central Taiwan. In addition to the main black-winged firefly species found in low-altitude firefly viewing areas, the park is also home to varieties such as the red-thorax black-winged firefly, small red-thorax black-winged firefly, and the cute and tiny Saunder’s threadwing firefly. There are even conservation-listed yellow-thorax black-winged fireflies. Their lights shine in different colors, adding diverse beauty to the night.

▲ The “Tung-Firefly Season” includes guided forest bathing trail tours, firefly ecology lectures, and outdoor firefly viewing in Baxianshan. (Image source / Dongshi Forest District Office)

The “Tung-Firefly Season” includes guided forest bathing trail tours, firefly ecology lectures, and outdoor firefly viewing in Baxianshan. However, to minimize environmental impact, each session is limited to 50 participants and requires advance registration on the official website. The four sessions are scheduled for April 26, 27, and May 3, 4. The fee is 250 NTD per person (including admission, activity materials, and course fees). We hope to invite the public to join in, embrace nature, and experience this beautiful natural ecosystem that shines bright both day and night.